HAVEN 99 - A SAFE HOME FOR YOUNG QUEERS
Since 2023, Haven99 in the canton of Zurich has been providing shelter, counseling, and financial assistance to young queer people who feel unsafe in their current living situation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The volunteer organization currently houses several young people and actually needs more space. We spoke with the founder, Samuel Farinato, and a current resident.
Text & Photo : Orkun Kasap & Vera Maag Illustration : Paraskevi Chrysopoulidou
Sämi, before we get to the work of Haven99: Who are you and how did you get involved? I'm 26 years old, from Nidwalden, and have Italian roots. My story is unfortunately typical for many: At 16, I came out to my very religious family. That didn't go down well. I had to undergo conversion therapy twice, which did more harm than good. When I decided to live independently at 18 and told my family I was in a relationship with a man, they kicked me out. I was never homeless, but I was constantly stressed about finding a new place to live – often only for a short time or for an indefinite period. On top of that, I had mental health crises and two hospital stays in the summer of 2021. It was there that I first learned the word "self-worth." But afterward, I wondered where I could have turned for help when I needed it. There simply wasn't anything like that. So I thought: Why not create such a service myself? Haven99 was founded with a team of volunteers. I am on the board together with Sonja Weber – without her and the team, none of this would be possible.
What specific gap are you trying to fill, and who is your target group? We offer housing for queer people between the ages of 18 and 25 who are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and experience hatred, violence, or rejection at home. Age is one criterion, but above all, the level of suffering. As an institution, we face a certain visibility issue with the authorities: We first have to prove that this target group even exists, that they are suffering, and that they have specific needs.
That sounds like a systemic problem. How exactly do you see it? On several levels, for example, in the organization of the asylum system: For people with a refugee background, such as those with S-status, the first point of contact and accommodation is often the Asylum Organization Zurich (AOZ). However, there are hardly any queer-specific options there. For example, trans people don't know which rooms they can and are allowed to live in. Their cultural backgrounds further complicate their situation. At the AOZ's request, we now offer counseling, but the implementation of government solutions is stalled. Another problem area is hate crimes. When queer youth or young adults go to the police because they have been threatened, they are often asked for evidence. If they can't provide it, they are sent home again. That's catastrophic. We need an active state, political support, and more resources.
You want to grow: What's your vision for Haven99? We'd like to have five to seven houses across Switzerland, each with three to eight beds. Perhaps even a house just for emergencies—for example, for queer youth who know they're going to come out tomorrow and want to be sure they have somewhere to sleep if things go wrong. We also want to professionalize and officially employ those who currently volunteer with us. We'd like to have our own therapists and counselors, as well as fundraisers and social media experts. Ideally, the government would take over the long-term funding so we don't constantly run into obstacles.
What bothers you most about the current situation? That the government still isn't taking full responsibility. Currently, its position sounds like this: "We pay the rent, you do the rest." With more comprehensive funding, we wouldn't have to deal with so many organizational problems and could concentrate on the actual work. It would be great if the government adopted our concept and asked us to act as consultants. But until then, we'll continue exactly as we are.
What advice would you give to queer youth who are in a difficult (living) situation? Don't give up and seek help. Open up, even if it's hard. There are people who understand the problems and challenges you face, and it's incredibly important to know you're not alone in such difficult situations.
For the first time in a long time, Leila feels safe at home again.
Leila (20) currently lives at Haven99 and told us her story. For her safety, certain aspects, including her name, have been anonymized.
decisions
When Leila still lived with her parents, she disguised her girlfriend as a colleague, worried about how her parents would react if they knew the truth. But then she came out, and her fears were confirmed. "It was awful," she recalls. "My parents felt betrayed and lied to." What followed was a spiral of estrangement and threats, not only against Leila but also against her girlfriend's family. When her father told her there was no way out, that Leila had to conform, she sought help from the police, victim support services, and the lesbian organization LOS. But the responses were disappointing: "You have to endure it" or "Just stay and try to negotiate a compromise." At least she received a list of possible resources, which she called until she came across Haven99. Leila was skeptical at first, but her need was too great. One night, after a heated argument with her mother, she knew: if she didn't leave now, she'd never make it. In a great hurry, she packed a small suitcase with the bare necessities and left her hometown and everything familiar. She didn't know anyone in her new place, but fortunately, she trusted her instincts.
Arrive
For the first few days, Leila lived in the emergency room at Haven99 and had many questions: Who is this Sämi, and can I trust him? Did I make the right decision? After a few days, the relieving news arrived that there was a place for her at the shelter. She was lucky. Leila was happy to have finally arrived—to a place where she was accepted as she was. Setting up and decorating her own room made her feel at home. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn't afraid.
Security
For Leila, safety is more than just a locked door. It's a place where she can be herself. The house has rules that ensure this safety; for example, the address remains secret, and visitors must maintain confidentiality. The warm atmosphere is important; Leila feels that Sämi is like both a father and a mother. If she has any questions about queerness, she goes to him and isn't reduced to her identity. "I can be every single facet of myself, completely unlike with my family."
Future Leila learned that self-confidence is key. "When I stand confidently by my identity, I offer less of a target for attack and am also more accepted by those around me." Her advice to others in similar situations: "Stand up for yourself, don't doubt yourself, definitely seek help, and don't give up!" She also believes that projects like Haven99 absolutely need to be more visible. "This way, society sees that there are young queer people who need support. And they learn about the services offered and can better help themselves and others. I don't know where I would be today without Haven99 and Sämi. Now I finally have a home."
Haven99 in the canton of Zurich offers young queer people a safe haven – with shelter, counseling, and support. Like Queeramnesty, Sämi and his team work with great dedication and on a voluntary basis in an area where no one else is effectively active. Haven99 shouldn't be an exception, but as long as it is, it's all the more necessary – and dependent on donations: www.haven99.ch
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